Fig 3.

Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (Cirp) deficiency attenuated proinflammatory cytokine production in Kupffer cells. (a) Immunohistochemistry was carried out on liver sections of thioacetamide (TAA)-treated WT mice. Cells stained with indicated antibodies were identified by confocal microscopy. (b) Production of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 mRNA was measured by real-time quantitative PCR in Kupffer cells from WT and Cirp^−/− mice. The amount of mRNA in hepatocytes was given an arbitrary value of 1.0. Results are means ± SEM (n = 4). *P < 0.05 compared with WT mice. (c) ALT levels in serum were determined after 2 and 10 months (mo) of TAA treatment. Results are means ± SEM (n = 5). *P < 0.05 compared with WT mice. (d, e) Extent of hepatocyte apoptosis was determined by TUNEL staining. Results are means ± SEM (n = 6). *P < 0.05 compared with WT mice.